News & Insights

Promotional Consultation?? – Is it ever justifiable to use consultation as a means of putting a neglected subject on the public agenda?

The theory is pretty unequivocal. You normally go to consultation where there are decisions to be taken, policies to be adopted or programmes to be developed, and where stakeholder views can be expected to exert influence. There are few exceptions to this, but is this one of them?

Try this little test. Switch on Radio 4’s Today programme when you wake up, and estimate how long you have to wait before the word consultation is used. It won’t be very long! Here is proof positive that publishing a consultation exercise works as an agenda-setting device, far more potent than the press release!

The Government has clearly found this to be useful, and regularly uses such exercises to fly some policy kite or other; if the purpose is to stimulate debate, it undoubtedly works, and many an otherwise-obscure policy area has got the full force of John Humphrys’ forensic attention on more than one occasion. Indeed, a consultation is a Press Officer’s delight, for it offers publicity opportunities at its announcement, when key stakeholders contribute, when the consultation closes and when the feedback is published. As a news story, it automatically replenishes ….wonderful!

 

Access to this content is exclusively for Institute members

Not a member? Unlock this article and more today by signing up for a Consultation Institute membership. Benefit from access to over 300 Topic Papers and Briefing Notes, discounted rates on all public training and more. Click on Join Now today to find out more and sign up.

More news

police
Shopping Basket
Scroll to Top

Your membership questions answered

View our frequently asked questions or contact our dedicated account manager for further support.

You can reset your password here. If you’re still having issues, please send us a message below.

We have many ways you can pay for your membership.

  • Credit card
  • Online
  • Invoice
  • PO
  • Monthly

You can renew/upgrade your membership here.

To find out more, send us a message below.

You will receive a reminder email from our dedicated membership account manager 4 weeks before your renewal date. This email will contain all the information you need to renew.

You can also renew your membership online here.

You can update your contact details here. Alternatively, please send a message to our membership account manager below.

Please send a message to our membership account manager below. 

Still need support?

Our dedicated Membership Account Manager is on
hand to assist with any questions you might have.

Request a callback

Leave a message and our team will call you back

"*" indicates required fields

Name*

Send us a message

We’ll be in touch with you soon.

Name(Required)
Email(Required)